Looking for a side dish that's a little more grown-up, but still super easy to prepare? This creamy orzo pasta has a lovely, fresh flavor from a bit of olive oil and lemon (juice and zest!), balanced with the creaminess of brie. You can pull it together in 15 minutes and make everyone think you slaved away. Mix it up a little by changing out the nuts from pricey pine nuts to toasted walnuts, or by using minced fresh parsley instead of fresh basil. Cut the rind from the brie to encourage melting. To make a main dish, add cubed or shredded chicken from a rotisserie chicken. Enjoy!

It's time to dig out that old waffle iron you've got stuck in a cabinet somewhere and start using it for dinner! You've seen the trend to waffle all sorts of foods lately, and these savory potato waffles are terrific.

Reminiscent of the potato cakes my mom used to make when I was growing up, albeit gussied up a bit with some crispy prosciutto (you could sub bacon if you like), these are savory and a fun addition to dinner. Use them as a side dish or a main, or simply a delivery device for butter and sour cream. The kids will go wild, and you'll have a little fun in the kitchen too!

No doubt, as January rears its resolution-filled head, you're thinking about incorporating more fruits and veggies not just into your diet, but your kids' as well. This fun fruit and veggie salad is just the thing to give the little guys a visual treat at the table. Using clementines keeps things sweet, echoed by the touch of sweetness brought by the honey in the dressing. No matter what, your kids will have fun assembling and eating this quick and easy snack!

With bonus days off from school this week, you can take advantage of the extra time and have the kids pitch in on breakfast! French toast is an old favorite, and super easy for kids to master. Depending on ages, you can have them crack eggs, beat them, or even work at the stove to flip the toast if they're a little older and have adult supervision. This recipe will easily scale up to make enough for the entire family. Enjoy your week!

Need an easy side dish for the holiday that will make the entire family go crazy? These cheesy baked mashed potatoes make the perfect holiday side! In fact, you can even prepare them a few hours before dinner, then bake just before you're ready to serve. No need for gravy -- the cheesiness eliminates the need for sauce of any kind, which makes these a terrific addition to your holiday table if you're preparing a beef tenderloin or ham. Happy holidays!